Help us provide “1,000 Meals a Day in May” for people facing hunger

Throughout the month of May, every First Financial banking center is accepting donations of non-perishable food and cash to benefit area organizations that fight hunger. The goal is to collect enough food and funds to provide at least 31,000 nutritious meals this month for kids and adults who struggle to get enough to eat.

Donations to charities that feed the hungry peak during the Christmas season and decline as the months go by. The need is especially great at this time of year because kids who depend on school nutrition programs may not have access to adequate food during summer vacation.

Remember to think healthy! People who lack the income to eat well are more likely to have diabetes, high blood pressure or other chronic health problems. Canned or packaged foods that contain low- or no-added salt and sugar are especially welcome.

Canned goods with pop-top lids are preferred over those that require a can opener. Due to risk of breakage, please avoid foods packaged in glass.

Where to donate

You’ll find donation barrels for food and counter boxes for cash in every First Financial lobby. To make it easy to give, our associates will be outside, rain or shine, collecting cash donations in the bank’s drive-thru’s every Friday in May.

While all donations are appreciated, hunger relief organizations encourage monetary donations. These organizations purchase food in bulk at a low cost, so they can make a dollar go farther than a consumer can at a grocery store. On average, food banks in the United States are able to provide four meals for every dollar they receive. Cash also allows them to buy what is needed most, including fresh dairy products, eggs, bread and produce that food drives can’t supply.

Organizations that will benefit

Our associates in each county chose local nonprofit organizations to receive the food and funds collected during the drive. Donations made in your county will stay in your county, and First Financial will also make a corporate contribution of at least $500 to each of the designated organizations. To encourage friendly competition among the banking centers, the corporate contribution will be $1,500 in both the Indiana and Illinois county that collects the most donations; $1,000 for second place; and $750 for third place.